Why might an arson case fail in court?

In legal proceedings, the integrity of evidence is paramount, particularly in criminal cases like arson. A broken chain of custody refers to a failure to properly document who collected, handled, or analyzed the evidence from the time it was found until it is presented in court. This can raise questions about the authenticity and reliability of the evidence. If the prosecution cannot demonstrate that the evidence has remained intact and unaltered, it may lead to reasonable doubt regarding its credibility. Thus, evidence may be deemed inadmissible, significantly undermining the prosecution’s case and potentially leading to failure in securing a conviction.

While other factors, such as the absence of eyewitnesses, insufficient media coverage, or poor forensic evidence, can affect the outcome of a case, the integrity of evidence through a maintained chain of custody is critical for its validity in court.